As part of its efforts to modernize its strike capabilities, Japan has selected Mitsubishi to develop a new long-range precision anti-ship missile to be deployed on Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets. The project involves an investment of 32 billion yen (approximately 219 million USD), with the missile expected to enter service by 2032.
Currently, few details are available regarding the features of Japan’s new anti-ship missile. Only a handful of official slides have been released, offering a preliminary glimpse into its design. The images show a missile equipped with two side wings and tail fins, featuring a stealthy design with no visible air intakes. It is speculated that the missile may include a guidance system capable of receiving target data from drones and/or satellites. According to specialized media reports, this missile is expected to be deployable not only from aircraft but also from Type 12 surface-to-ship missile (SSM) launchers already in Japan’s inventory.
It is worth noting that Japan already possesses a broad range of anti-ship missile capabilities, including the upgraded Type 12, as well as the Type 80 and Type 93 (also known as ASM-1 and ASM-2), currently in service with the Air Self-Defense Force. In addition, the Maritime Self-Defense Force operates the Type 90 anti-ship missile, which is derived from the older Type 88 model.
It is also important to highlight that this new investment is only one of several initiatives Tokyo has outlined to enhance the capabilities of its Armed Forces. These efforts show a clear connection with the United States for the procurement of new systems. In this regard, the purchase of 400 new Tomahawk RGM-109E missiles for the Maritime Self-Defense Force, confirmed in January of last year, stands out. Furthermore, Japan is working on acquiring a new hypersonic missile to counter threats posed by China and Russia, a project being developed in collaboration with Northrop Grumman
In connection with this, it is also worth noting that the Japanese government is working on various cost-reduction measures related to these projects in order to ease the financial burden. This includes, among other things, the possibility of sharing data and technologies between programs. This was reflected in recent statements by officials from Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA): “The New SSM and the Precision Surface-to-Ship/Surface Guided Missile Project are different projects (…) On the other hand, the new Precision Surface-to-Ship/Surface Guided Missile will be developed using the results of other research and development efforts, which also reflect the outcomes of the research on elemental technologies of the New SSM.”
Images used for illustrative purposes only
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